Amino acid 95 causes strong alteration of peptide position Pomega in HLA-B*41 variants

Immunogenetics. 2007 Apr;59(4):253-9. doi: 10.1007/s00251-007-0197-7. Epub 2007 Feb 10.

Abstract

There have been several attempts over the years to identify positions in the peptide-binding region (PBR) of human leukocyte antigens (HLA) that influence the specificity of bound amino acids (AAs) at each position in the peptide. Originally, six pockets (A-F) were defined by calculating the surface area of the PBR on the crystal structure of HLA-A2 molecules. More recent crystallographic analyses of a variety of HLA alleles have led to broader pocket definitions. In this study, we examined the peptide-binding specificity of HLA-B*41 alleles and compared our results with the available pocket definitions. By generating recombinant HLA-B molecules and studying the eluted peptides by mass spectrometry and pool sequencing, we detected two different POmega peptide motifs within the B*41 group: Leu vs Val/Pro. Specificity was dependent on the presence of Leu (B*4102, B*4103, and B*4104) vs Trp (B*4101, B*4105, and B*4106) at AA position 95 in the HLA molecule, whose impact on POmega has been a subject of controversy in current pocket definitions. In contrast, the Arg97Ser mutation did not affect pocket F binding specificity in B*41 subtypes although residue 97 was previously identified as a modulator of peptide binding for several HLA class I alleles. According to most pocket definitions, this study shows that the Asn80Lys substitution in B*4105 impels the peptide's POmega anchor toward more promiscuity. Our sequencing results of peptides eluted from HLA-B*41 variants demonstrate the limitations of current pocket definitions and underline the need for an extended peptide motif database for improved understanding of peptide-major histocompatibility complex interactions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amino Acid Substitution / genetics
  • Amino Acids / chemistry*
  • Amino Acids / genetics
  • HLA-B Antigens / chemistry*
  • HLA-B Antigens / genetics
  • Humans
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / genetics
  • Protein Conformation

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • HLA-B Antigens
  • HLA-B*41:04 antigen
  • HLA-B41 antigen
  • Peptides